Christopher Danjuma replaces Okon as Coach of Super Falcons

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced the appointment of Christopher Danjuma as Head Coach of the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons.

He takes over from Edwin Okon who led the Super Falcons to the World Cup in Canada where they crashed out in the first round.

The Okon led squad did not win any match in the World Cup, with a draw two loses.

In a statement by the Chairman of the Nigeria Technical and Development Committee, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, he praised Okon for the job he has done and revealed that Christopher Danjuma who was an assistant to Okon will be the temporary coach of the Super Falcons.

''We commend Okon and his crew for the services rendered to the country and they did well to reclaim the African Women Championship title for the country in Namibia in October 2014 thus qualifying the team for the Women’s World Cup in Canada," Anyasi-Aguw is quoted to say by the NFF website.

''Mr Christopher Danjuma will now take over the team in acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive coaching crew which process is ongoing.”

However Danjuma has a task of qualifying for the 2016 Olympics billed for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

''The team will soon move to Port Harcourt to get used to the pitch on which it will play Equatorial Guinea in the third round of the Olympics qualifiers. The NFF will provide everything that the needs to succeed,'' said Anyansi-Agwu

Danjuma’s first game in charge will the against Equatorial Guinea in the first leg of the Olympics Games qualifiers in Port Harcourt on Saturday, July 18.

Source: thenff.com

NFF vs Enyeama: Can Nigeria move on please?

Super Eagles Goalkeeper and Captain Vincent Enyeama has been in the news lately over his remarks before the African Cup of Nations Qualifier against Chad in Kaduna.

The Lille of France shot-stopper made some "provocative comments" on the venue of the match, which got him queried by the federation. 

Several reports had it that Enyeama was invited by NFF Disciplinary Committee to explain matters, on the same occasion as Coach of the Eagles Stephen Keshi over his recent link to the Ivorian job. Keshi showed up but the captain failed to turn up based on claims that he never received any invitation in that regard.

Enyeama said he had apologized and was surprised to hear from the media that he shunned an invitation to appear before the NFF Disciplinary Committee. 

Spokesman of the federation Ademola Olajire told Africanfootball.com, that the claims by Vincent Enyeama who said he didn't get any invitation was untrue, ''I can assure you that Enyeama was sent an invitation by the NFF'', he said.

''The invitation to appear before the committee was sent to him through the channel that we normally send him invitations to the Super Eagles.

''The disciplinary committee is a judicial body, so whether Eneyama appears or not they will make their decision.''

Vincent Enyeam further shared these on Instagram on Friday morning, an appeal so to speak ''Good morning my world#this got me cracking#someone sent this to me#i am still very sorry about my comments on the security issue.#and I still want to once again apologize to everyone that found that comment offensive,most especially the executive governor and the people of Kaduna state,the nff. God bless Nigeria#God bless Kaduna state#God bless bless Nff#God bless everyone reading this message.#TIMEDRAWINGCLOSERTHANPLANNED.

Come to think of it, all these counter-accusations, are they necessary? The Nigerian Football Federation can handle this matter better and focus on other important things that will move our football forward.  But kudos must also go to the NFF for handling the matter before the game proper. That is the way to go and should never have been brought up again.

If indeed, Enyeama was invited at all and he failed to show up, the federation MUST punish him for not honouring the call being a respected member of the team.

The Super Eagles just played their first qualifying match with Tanzania and the Pharaohs of Egypt waiting. It is time to focus on forth-coming games and not getting busy setting up committees upon committees to look into matters that could be sorted without moving muscles.

Offside: It was rumored that the federation would send a delegation to Abidjan to investigate the why Keshi was shortlisted for the Ivory coast coaching job. In this jet age? What has suddenly happened to mails and phone calls?

Enyeama ignores NFF Disciplinary Committee

Super Eagles Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama failed to honour the invitation of the Nigeria Football Federation Organizing and Disciplinary Committee.

The Lille of France number-one was invited  by the committee after his "provocative comments" on the venue of the AFCON qualifying game against Chad.

Although he is yet to give a reason why he didn't honour the invitation, Coach of the senior national team Stephen Keshi who was also invited to explain his link with the Ivory Coast job said he has no information on the matter.

“No I am not aware. I only know about my own invitation. You can ask the
NFF officials they should be able to tell you,” he said.

Source: Vanguard

Jay-Jay Okocha blames Sudan loss on nation's football not Keshi

Austin Jay-Jay Okocha believes Stephen Keshi and his Players are not to blame for the loss to Sudan in Saturday's game but the state of the nation's football, which he says is dead.

The Falcons of Jediane took the lead through Bakri Abd Elgadir almost at the stroke of half time which eventually hurt the African champions.

Okocha tweed shortly after the match taking to the defense of the team. See his tweet:

The Eagles will take on Sudan in a return leg on Wednesday.

SUDAN vs NIGERIA: Super Eagles, Pinnick and the Panic

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have arrived Khartoum for an important tie against Sudan for a place in the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2015.

 

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Reports according to vanguard says the delegation arrived Sudan aboard a chartered aircraft and will have their first training on Friday 8pm Sudan time, to have a feel of the artificial turf.

Coach Stephen Keshi has his squad in place save for the likes of Victor Moses, Babatunde Michael and or Osaze Odemwingie who are out due to injury. However, the gaffer has maintained that he doesn't want to be drawn anymore into issues about striker Ike Uche, agreed! But he has also stated that Obafemi Martins whom Nigerians have seen and heard of his recent exploits in the Major League Soccer. All well and good, he's the manager in-charge even if he's yet to have and sign a contract.

Meanwhile the former Togolese national team boss invited a few new comers into the fold to treat the case at hand, which is qualifying or place in Afcon.

Just recently, the board of the Nigeria Football Federation selected new members and leaders into pole positions  and heading that house is Delta state FA boss, Amaju  Melvin Pinnick, who has charged team to go all the way and see that they Nigeria's success story over the Falcons of Jediane.

“I am of the firm belief that you are capable of re-enacting those wonderful memories of fabulous wins over Sudan home and away, and the NFF is fully behind you to go to Khartoum and conquer. Then, we will prepare to complete the job here in Abuja before we plan for the two remaining games in November,” Amaju said in Abuja on Thursday. (Vanguard report)

He added: “As true warriors and champions of Africa that you are, Nigerians have no doubt about what you are capable of doing in Khartoum. This is the first competitive match under this new administration and we are giving you every motivation to achieve victory.”

Of course the man is new on the seat and it won't be bad to start on a good note with the Eagles amidst the difficult situation.

Frankly speaking, Nigerians love football so much and have been driven to a point where you cannot but expect so much from the Super Eagles especially now that we have to defend the title. Butne can only wish the team the best  on their quest for the ticket, having only managed to secure one point from two games, thanks to the famous defeat at home to Congo and away goalless draw against Bafana Bafana in South Africa.

Who says the Eagles cannot go ahead to beat Sudan at home, after all, Congo came to Calabar, saw and conquered. This is football, the cookie can crumble from any part especially for a well-prepared side. Note, the Sudanese team are yet to score a goal so far in this qualifier but that doesn't mean to say that they cannot cause an upset like they troubled Bafana Bafana but fell in the long run in their first game.

The Eagles still have a chance but lets not begin the calculations just yet until after the match in Jediane on Saturday evening. Lets not press the panic button just yet!

Keshi losing patience with NFF over contract talk, says he can't wait anymore

Stephen Keshi is obviously frustrated with the way the Nigerian Football Federation is handling his new contract talks.

 

Recent reports have it that the Big Boss has been in talks with the NFF for weeks now, over an extension to his deal which expired after the 2014 World Cup and says he's losing patience.

 

''Talks over a new contract shouldn’t drag on,” Keshi told BBC Sport. ''I can’t wait any more – the NFF is not serious.''

 

 

Keshi, who led the Super Eagles to the Africa Cup of Nations trophy last year and the knock-out stages of this year’s World Cup, claimed he still had offers from other countries.

 

''I’ve had about seven countries approach me in the last two months but I kept them all away,'' he said.

 

The 53-year-old also insisted that the current issues the NFF is dealing with, should not be allowed to interfere with the national team’s preparations.

 

He said: ''I understand the ongoing crisis facing the federation but the national team should not suffer from such at this crucial stage. Sadly, I also think attention is focused more on the upcoming NFF elections and the national team is simply not a priority.

 

 

 

''I love my country and I am aware of the dream our fans had of me taking this team to the next level.

 

''I have moved on. I can only wish the country well for the future.''

Official: Keshi accepts Nigeria's offer to continue as Eagles Coach

Reports have it that Stephen Keshi has reportedly sent an official reply to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), confirming his decision to continue as the coach of the Super Eagles.

According to AfricanFootball, an assistant coach submitted Keshi’s notice of acceptance at the NFF office in Abuja.

The Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup had marked the end of his reign as coach of the national team, Keshi has also been heavily linked to the big job in South Africa.

Keshi  has reportedly asked the NFF to provide him with an official residence and car, as part of his new deal, while he has also told top officials that he wants to be paid on time.

Nigeria face Rwanda on September 7, in their first qualifying game ahead of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.